Leeds ‘still on course for play-offs’

DAVID Norris declared himself “happy” with Leeds United’s position in the Championship table as he outlined the consistency needed to take the club into the play-offs.

The experienced midfielder, who has returned to full fitness from a torn thigh muscle, believes United’s season is shaping up as planned after a return of 17 points from their first 10 games left them on the verge of the Championship’s top six.

Leeds are level on points with sixth-placed Huddersfield Town and only four behind Leicester City – the team who hold the division’s second automatic promotion position – having navigated their way through an intense start to the season.

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Norris watched five of United’s Championship matches from the sidelines after sustaining an injury in last month’s 3-3 draw with Blackburn Rovers but he appeared as a substitute during the second half of United’s win over Barnsley on October 6 and has returned with the club in encouraging form after five games without defeat.

The 31-year-old – a veteran of numerous Championship campaigns – said the squad at Elland Road were satisfied with their start but aware of the importance of remaining in touch with the league’s play-off zone throughout the term. United’s season resumes after the international break against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Friday night.

“I think we’re happy with where we are,” said Norris.

“The teams that do well and are around the play-offs or the top two (in May) will have been there throughout the season. If we want to have aspirations of being in the play-offs, we’re going to have to do the same.

“There’ll be games we draw when we should have won, like the Blackburn game. But there’ve also been games where we didn’t play so well but picked up points. It’s typical of this league and it’s a good sign.”

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Norris contributed heavily to United’s performances during the first month of the season but he was ruled out for four weeks after scans in the aftermath of their draw with Blackburn revealed that he had suffered a muscle tear.

He rejoined Neil Warnock’s squad for the visits to Bristol City and Bolton Wanderers but did not feature in either game. United’s manager planned to delay Norris’s comeback until after the international break but the midfielder was called up from the bench against Barnsley following an injury to Michael Tonge.

The break which arrived after the clash with Barnsley gave Tonge a fortnight to recover from damaged shoulder ligaments but Norris said: “It didn’t come at an ideal time for me. I’d only just come back and I was raring to get more training time under my belt and a few more games.

“The injury was frustrating but it happened in the last international break so I missed a couple of weeks when we had no games. Timing-wise, if it is going to happen then that’s a good time.

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“I was pretty pleased with the way I started and, hopefully, I can continue that and the team can continue their good form.”

Norris, meanwhile, added his voice to the flurry of praise for El-Hadji Diouf’s impressive impact at Elland Road.

The former Liverpool forward, who joined Leeds on a half-season contract in August, made his first start for the club in their draw with Blackburn and came to prominence last month, scoring twice in a 3-2 win at Bristol City and flourishing during the United’s unbeaten run.

Diouf, 31, was without a club when he first moved to Elland Road on a non-contract basis but his performances prompted his agent, Willie McKay, to push for talks about a longer deal.

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Norris said: “When he first came in he needed match time and fitness but he’s shown in the last few games what he’s all about and what he’s still got.

“We all knew he was a good player. He went for £10m at one point so we knew he would have quality. But his hunger and desire to do well and be a team player has impressed me. He’s been a great signing so far.”

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